On behalf of the Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations,
Com. K G. Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA, Com. G. L. Jogi, General Secretary, SNPWA and Com. R K Mudgal, General Secretary, MREWA met Shri. Ajay Kumar Sahu, Member ( Services ) on 05-03-2024 and discussed the issue of pension revision. After a very detailed discussion on the issue, Member (S) informed that the issue is under consultations between D.OT, D.O E, DOP& PW and Law Ministry and that it will take some more time before a consensus is arrived at regarding resolution of the issue. However, he sounded optimistic about positive resolution of the issue but again emphasised that its outcome will take quite some time.

Thereafter we met Smt. Roshni Sohni, DDG (Estt ) and Shri. Rajkumar, Director (Estt. II) who also stated that the issue is at the consultation stage with the aforesaid departments

We also met PS to Secy( T) to know about the date of the meeting with Secy( T). We were informed that Secy( T) is extremely preoccopied this week and the metting would be possible only after next week. He informed us that he will let us know about date of meeting at least about a week before the date of the meeting.

Com.M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary and CHQ Vice President inaugurated the biennial Surat District Conference with a detailed speech covering almost all the issues. The conference was held at Door Sanchar Society Hall , Karimabad, Surat on 03-03-2024. Com.N D Desai, District President controlled the proceedings.Com.Ghanibhai Patel, Ex District President welcomed one and all. Com.Mehul Patel, District Secretary, BSNLEU greeted the conference. Com.A S Dwivedi, District Secretary presented the report on activities and accounts and both were adopted after discussion. Com. N D Desai (President) Com. A S Dwivedi (District Secretary Com. R M Patel (Treasurer) were reelected in the unanimous elction of office bearers.Com.N D Deasi proposed vote of thanks.

The 5th biennial Vadodara District Conference has been held on 02-03-2024 at Yuvaraj Hotel hall, Vadodara. Com.U K Solanki presided over the conference. Com.A J Gosai, District Secretary welcomed the participants and presented the report on activities. Com.M B Chaniyara, CHQ Vice President and Circle Secretary inaugurated the conference explaining the important issues including pension revision, medical and CGHS. Coms. V S Saral,ACS, H J Pal, District President and Anand Singh, District Secretary, BSNLEU also addressed.Com. J Y Sindhi, Circle President appealed to strengthen the organisation by enrolling more members. The report and accounts were adopted after discussion. Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. H J Pal (Patron) Com. R C Patel (President) Com.A J Gosai (District Secretary) Com.V S Saral (Treasurer).

The anger and protests galored at CGMT office complex , Mumbai on 29th February, 2024. It was the second phase of protest action launched by the Joint Forum of Maharashtra Unions/Associations and Pensioners Associations , the first was Protest Demonstration throughout Maharashtra on 15-02-2024 participated by thousands of employees and pensioners. It was against the continuing cruelty being meted out to the ST VRS retirees of Maharashtra by denying their legitimate retirement benefits and regular pension for the last four yeras in violation of the rules and OM issued by the DoP&PW dated 30-11-2021.

About 500 employees and pensioners who came from all the districts of Maharashtra along with their family members, including a large number of women, participated in the massive Dharna at CGMT Office, Mumbai exhibiting their anger and anguish against the injustice to the ST VRS retirees in the name caste revalidation. The Dharna was addressed by all the leaders of the constituent organisations of the Joint Forum including Coms. H F Chaudhari, General Secretary, AICGPA HQ Pune, Ganesh Hinge, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, M I Jakati, Circle Secretary, AIBDPA. Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary greeted the participants over phone and narrated the efforts taken by AIBDPA in resolving the issue. He assured all the support and solidarity for the genuine cause.

Shri.Prashant Patil, the new CGMT called the leaders for a discussion at 1230PM and a delegation of the constituent organisations, viz BSNLEU, AIBDPA, NFTE(BSNL), SNPWA, BDPS, AIRBSNLEWA, AIBSNLPWA, BTEU(BSNL) and AICGPA under the leadership of Com.H F Chaudhari participated in the meeting with the CGMT. The delegation presented the issue effectively and convinced the CGMT that the issue is non-implementation of orders issued by DoP&PW, DoT and BSNL Corporate Office. CGMT agreed to have another round of discussion after consulting his officers.

CHQ HEARTILY CONGRATULATE THE JOINT FORUM LEADERS , ESPECIALLY COM.M I JAKATI CIRCLE SECRETARY, AIBDPA FOR THE SUCCESSFUL UNITED ACTION PROGRAMMES.

NEWS IN THE HINDU DATED 29-02-2024 IS REPRODUCED BELOW.

Govt. employees to go on strike from May 1 for OPS

All unions, except the pro-government Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, will join the indefinite strike

A platform of trade unions and associations working among 28 lakh employees of the Union government, including the Railways and Central Public Sector Undertakings, and more than three crore employees and teachers with the State governments have decided to go on an indefinite strike from May 1 demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS).

The steering committee of the platform, the Joint Forum For Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS), has unanimously decided to serve strike notices on March 19 to respective administrations. The convener of the JFROPS and general secretary of All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), Shiv Gopal Mishra, told The Hindu that the decision to go on a strike was taken after discussions with the Union government over the issue collapsed.

“We wrote letters to Prime Minister and Finance Minister urging them to restore OPS. We have also been raising this issue in the Joint Consultative Machinery meetings, but the government ignored our demands and we are now forced to go on an indefinite strike,” he said. Strike ballots were held at the Railways, various departments, and PSUs under the Centre and unions. “Government employees have waited for 20 years patiently by observing protest programmes without hampering the functioning of the government.

Recently, Judicial Pay Commission has recommended defined and guaranteed pensions for judges. Why the government employees are discriminated?,” asked C. Srikumar, general secretary of All India Defence Employees Federation.

He added that the strike was imposed on the employees since the government was insensitive towards their genuine grievances and that all unions, except the progovernment Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), would participate in it. Asked what would happen if the model code of conduct comes into force, Mr. Mishra said they wanted the issue of OPS to be discussed during the elections.

.CHQ has the gratification that another family pension case of the missing employee is also got settled. The case was brought to our notice by Com. K S C Bose, Circle Secretary, Andhra Pradesh during the Circle Conference of AP Circle on 08-12-2022.

The synopsis of the issue is as follows :Shri. K. Pandu Raju, Telegraph Man, Ganavaram, Vijayawada went missing on 20-01-2005. When he did not returned and enquires made to trace him also failed an FIR was registered in the concerned police station on 25-07-2005.Though all these informations were conveyed to the concerned BSNL authorities, they preferred to issue charge sheet to the missing employee for alleged unauthorized absence from duty. Inquiry was held ex parte and punishment of removal from service was awarded.

The hapless wife of the missing employee approached the BSNL authorities for help but was denied stating that her husband was alcoholic and a habitual absentee. After scrutiny, it was observed that no approval from DoT was taken for inflicting the major punishment of removal from service which is mandatory. However some clarifications were felt necessary to take up the issue at the appropriate levels. These were sought and made available by the Circle Secretary.

Then CHQ wrote to Shri. V. L. Kantha Rao, then Additional Secretary, DoT and to Shri. Saurabh Tyagi, PGM(Estt), BSNL Corporate Office with all the required documents on 9th February, 2023. Com. K. G. Jayaraj ,General Secretary met Shri. V. L Kantha Rao, then Additional Secretary who only helped to settle a similar family pension case of Smt. A. Rajeswari, wife of Shri. A Joga Rao, Regular Mazdoor , Visakhapatnam, AP, and convinced him the genuineness of the issue. The Additional Secretary appreciated the efforts of AIBDPA for taking up such genuine issues to help the poor families in distress. He, as in the case of Smt. A. Rajeswari , wife of missing Regular Mazdoor Shri. A. Joga Rao, Visakhapatnam, AP, entrusted Shri.R. Madhava Rao, Director (PSU ), DoT to follow up the case for early settlement. Shri. Saurabh Tyagi, then PGM (Estt), BSNL CO also was positive and assured to do the needful.

CHQ pursued the issue at regular intervals. At one stage it was reported that the then Secretary, DoT Shri.K Rajaraman made some adverse comments on the file which delayed the issue to a great extent. Then again the Additional Secretary intervened and got it cleared. On 28th February, 2024 got the information from Com. K. S. C. Bose, Circle Secretary, AP that Smt. K. Viyaya Lakshmi, widow of the missing employee, Shri. K. Pandu Raju( virtually dead )has been paid an amount of Rs. 20,70,778 towards arrears of family pension from 25-07-2005( date of FIR )to 31-12-2023 vide order dated 23-12-2023, as we demanded.

CHQ congratulate Smt. K. Vijaya Lakshmi and Com. K. S. C. Bose, Circle Secretary, AP for the good achievement. CHQ expresses its profound thanks to Shri. V. L. Kantha Rao, then Additional Secretary, DoT for his exemplary humanitarian approach, Shri. R.Madhava Rao, Director ( PSU ), DoT for pursuing the issue with all the concerned levels and Shri. Saurabh Tyagi, then PGM ( Estt ), BSNL CO for initiating necessary action at BSNL level.

The 7th biennial Circle Conference was held with massive participation of delegates and visitors on 24-25 February, 2024 at Com.P V Chandrasekharan Nagar (Raiban Auditorium) Alappuzha. Com.K Mohanan, Circle President presided over the conference. Com.P P Chitharanjan MLA , Chairman Reception Committee welcomed one and all. Dr.John Brittas MP delivered the inaugural address. He came down heavily on the divisive and anti-people policies of the NDA government which challenges the very foundation of the Indian Constitution.The attempts of the sanghparivars to change the country to a Hindurashtra have to be defeated, Dr John Brittas empathised. Coms.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor, K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, S Mohandoss, CHQ Vice President and a host of leaders representing various organisations addressed the inaugural session. A cultural meet was also held in the evening on 24th inst which was inaugurated by renowned poet Ezhacherry Ramachandran.

The delegates session at 9AM on 25th inst was inaugurated by Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary covering International, National developments, issues of the pensioners including pension revision, medical benefits particularly problems with CGHS , parliamentary committee recommendations, commutation etc. General Secretary congratulated the Circle branch for its excellent functioning and appealed to strengthen it further by reaching out to the non-members. A presidium comprising Coms.K Mohanan, S K Gopalan, K R R Varma, M N Radhakrishnan, K E Abraham and P M Gopalakrishnan controlled the proceedings. Com.N Guruprasad, Circle Secretary welcomed and presented the report. Com.N Vikraman Nair, Treasurer submitted the audited accounts. Com. V A N Namboodiri in his address congratulated the delegates for AIBDPA’s growth as a mighty organisation. Com. S Mohandoss also addressed the delegates. 30 comrades participated actively in the discussion after which both the report and accounts were adopted. The conference also adopted resolutions on important issues. In the unanimous election of office bearers, Coms.K Mohanan (President) N Guruprasad (Circle Secretary) N Vikraman Nair (Treasurer) were reelected. A 14 memeber Womens Sub Committee with Com.Lucy Isac as Convenor was also elected.

The 6th biennial district conference of Tripura district branch was held on 25th February, 2024 at Press Club, Agartala. Com.B C Paul, District President controlled the proceedings. Com. M C Bhowmik, District Secretary welcomed and presented the report. Com. Com. Satyajit Deb, Circle Secretary,NE-I spoke elaborately on the issues of pension revision and medical benefits. The conference was greeted by the leaders of sister organisations, BSNLEU, SNEA etc. A good number of comrades participated in the discussion. Com.B C Paul (President) and Com.M C Bhowmik (District Secretary) have been reelcted in the unanimous election of office bearers.

The sixth biennial District Conference of Krishna has been held most successfully at MB Vignana Kendram Auditorium Vijayawada on 15-02-2024. Com.R Madhava Rao, President presided over the conference. Com.L Ramesh Babu, District Secretary welcomed the gathering. Com.P Ashokababu, CHQ Vice President inaugurated the conference . Com.K S C Bose, Circle Secretary delivered the keynote address and gave a good account of developments on medical issues and pension revision. Com.K Ramadevi, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Com.N Rama Rao, ACS, Com.S Krishna Balaji, ACS,BSNLEU, Com.K Prabhakara Rao (BSNLCCWF) and Com. Ravikumar, District Secreatry, BSNLEU addressed. Report and accounts presented by the Secretary and Treasurer were adopted after discussion. The following are the important functionaries of the office bearers elected unanimously; Com.R Madhava Rao (President) Com. L Rameshbabu (District Secretary) Com. N S Saibaba (Treasurer). The auditorium was jam packed with 400 participants. The conference concluded with vote of thanks by Com. K Siva Prasad.

The Circle Executive Committee meeting prior to the 7th biennial Circle Conference was held at P&T House, Thiruvananthapuram on 15-02-2024. Com.K Mohanan, Circle President controlled the proceedings. Com.N Guruprasad , Circle Secretary welcomed . Com.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the meeting with a brief speech explaining the latest dvelopments in respect of pension revision. Thereafter, Com.N Guruprasad presented the draft biennial report to the Circle Conference being held on February 24-25, 2024. Com.N Vikraman Nair, Treasurer presented the audited accounts. All the district Secretaries and most of the Circle office bearers actively participated in the discussion and the report was adopted with some minor changes. Com.P Surendran, General Convenor of the Reception Committee of the 7th Circle Conference reported on the arrangements being made for the successful conduct of the conference at Alappuzha.